The couched lance

The Lance is the only weapon that couches. Draw it (it is part of a weapon set) and ride. There is no key: once your horse runs faster than 6.5 m/s for a moment, the lance lowers into a charge on its own. Drop below 5.5 m/s and it rises again.

1. Get up to a gallop with the lance drawn.
2. Steer the tip with the mouse: it swings up to 25° either side of your horse's head, and up or down.
3. Ride the tip into your target. Only the tip wounds; the shaft and the ground do not.
4. One hit per charge. The lance recovers for about 1.2 seconds before it can lower again.

• Damage rises with how fast you are closing on the target: from twice to six times a normal hit. A target running away from you takes much less.
• Your horse turns at half its normal rate while couched. Line up the charge early.
• Attacking or blocking raises the lance and ends the charge.
• On foot, the Lance is simply a long spear with a pike's reach.